All Whites ‘can upset applecart’
WE’RE CALM AND CONFIDENT IN THIS SCENARIO Peru hope to end 36-year absence from the World Cup.
New Zealand believe they can spring a massive upset and down Peru to reach the 2018 World Cup finals, even if no one else shares their faith, coach Anthony Hudson said yesterday.
The New Zealanders host Los Incas in Wellington today for the opening leg of a two-match qualification tie with a berth at the finals in Russia next year up for grabs.
Peru are ranked 10th in the world, while Hudson’s side are 122nd and hail from a nation best known globally for the All Blacks rugby union team.
Hudson said his side had been written off but it was Peru that was desperate to end a 36-year absence from football’s showpiece tournament.
“They’ve had some unbelievable results in the last year against some big teams, the pressure really (is on them),” he told reporters.
“The whole footballing world expects Peru to win, we know that. Everyone in this (media) room expects Peru to win.”
The Englishman said the New Zealanders had the skills to match Peru but could not afford to be overawed by the occasion.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca acknowledged his team were considered favourites but insisted they would not be taking New Zealand lightly.
“In reality, both teams start from zero and the match is so important for both teams that you just never know,” the Argentine said via an interpreter.
Gareca said Peru’s players were buoyed by their “incredible” welcome at Wellington airport by hundreds of vocal fans.
He was confident the South Americans would cope without captain and goal-scoring talisman Paolo Guerrero, who is serving a suspension over an “abnormal result” from a drugs test.
He said the players had recovered after the 14-hour flight from Lima and were well-placed to maintain Peru’s quest to reach the World Cup finals for the fifth time at the Westpac Stadium.
New Zealand have made the finals twice before and Hudson said this campaign had been running smoothly.
He said he had a full-strength squad with a strong mentality and good spirit.
“It’s why we’re so calm and confident in this scenario, because the preparation has been good,” he said. – AFP